Subfloor system for grinding apparatus

ABSTRACT

A subfloor system for supporting machinery having hydraulically and electrically operated components. The system comprises a framework of horizontal beams some of which define trenches for hydraulic piping. The beams are raised on stools or pedestals to allow electric conduits to pass beneath. Anchor bolts are rigidly secured to the beams to anchor the machinery. At final installation, concrete is poured up to the level of the tops of the beams to embed the beams and the electrical conduits, but without filling the trenches so that the hydraulic piping remains accessible.

United StatesPatent 1191 Hopkins Jan. 8, 1974 SUBFLOOR SYSTEM FORGRINDING APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Richard'G. Hopkins, 5160 Lake Dr.,

Rt. No. 1, Bennington Twp., Shiawasse County, Mich. 48867 22 Filed: Dec.18, 1972 21 Appl.No.: 316,101

[52] US. Cl 174/48, 137/362, 138/105 [51] Int. Cl H02g 3/26 [58] Fieldof Search 174/48, 49; 52/220,

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 7/1966 Fork 1 74/48 x 7/1971Janie et al 174/48 X Primary Examiner-Bernard A. Gilheany AssistantExaminerDavid A. Tone AttorneyWilliam H. Griffith [57] ABSTRACT Asubfloor system for supporting machinery having hydraulically andelectrically operated components. The system comprises a framework ofhorizontal beams some of which define trenches for hydraulic piping. Thebeams are raised on stools or pedestals to allow electric conduits topass beneath. Anchor bolts are rigidly secured to the beams to anchorthe machinery. At final installation, concrete is poured up to the levelof the tops of the beams to embed the beams and .theelectrical conduits,but without filling the trenches so that the hydraulic piping remainsaccessible.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures SUBFLOOR SYSTEM FOR GRINDING APPARATUSBACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The embodiment of the inventionabout to be described comprises a framework preferably made up of Hbeams which are raised on stools or pedestals and which have anchorbolts to anchor or tie down the machinery. Although other machinery maybe used with the invention, the machinery described in this embodimentcomprises a grinding machine and a carriage for moving a workpiece backand forth under the grinding wheel. Such machinery includes bothelectrical and hydraulic components.

The H beams, or some of them, define upwardly open trenches for thehydraulic piping serving hydraulically operated cylinders and motors.Electrical conduits pass below the raised H beams.

The entire subfloor system is encased in concrete up to the level of thetops of the H beams, embedding the electrical conduits in the concrete.The trenches for the hydraulic piping are not filled with concrete andtherefore remain accessible. Removable plates may be employed to coverthe tops of the trenches and Iie substantially flush with the raisedfloor defined by the top sur face of'the concrete and the tops of the Hbeams.

The machinery is mounted on and anchored to the top surfaces of the Hbeams. Anchor bolts for tying down the machinery are welded or otherwiserigidly secured to the H beams.

This system allows the-manufacturer of the machincry to erect thesubframe consisting of the H beams and pedestals, to lay the hydraulicpiping and the electrical conduit, to anchor the pieces of equipment tothe H beams and then test all the machinery while in place to determinethat it works properly. All this may be done in the manufacturers plantbefore'shipment to the customer and without pouring any-concrete. Afterit is tested and adjusted so as to be in proper working order, theapparatus including the sub-framework, hydraulic piping, electricalconduit and machinery may be disassembled and shipped to the customer.In the customers plant, the equipment may again be set up, but this timethe concrete is poured to permanently embed the H beams and electricalconduit in the concrete.

In the past, manufacturers have not been able to set up machinery ofthis general type and fully test it before shipment. It was onlypossible to test the individual components separately. Also, in the pastthe concrete which was poured to form the floor and embed the electricalconduit had to be poured before the machinery was installed. Correctionof mistakes in the electrical system couldnot be made without breakingup the concrete. Also, the poured concrete had to be formed with pocketsin the surface located precisely where necessary to receive shear keyson the various pieces of machinery to prevent them from shifting duringoperation. It was difficult to locate these pockets with the high degreeof accuracy required and therefore it became customary to form thesepockets over-sized and then to grout the equipment in place aftertryout.

According to the present invention, all of the adjustments andcorrections may be made before theapparatus is shipped out of themanufacturers plant, and the anchor bolts for tying down the machinerymay be located exactly where needed so that when the apparatus inc. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view takenon the line 3.3 in

FIG. 1.

'FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary detail showing the connection between beams.

Referring now more particularly to the, drawings, a subfloor systemgenerally designated 10 is provided to support machinery which in thisinstance includesa grinding machine 12 having a grinding wheel G forremoving metal from a workpiece W, and a reciprocable carriage C forsupporting the workpiece and moving it back and forth under the grindingwheel. It will be understood, however, that the subfloor system of thisinvention may be used with other machinery than that here illustratedand described. I

The subfloor system comprises essentially a framework including aplurality of elongated beams designated H1, H2, etc., which aresupported on transverse stools or pedestals P1, P2, etc., in a raisedhorizontal position spacedv above the permanent horizontal subfloor F.The beams are preferably H-shaped in cross section having horizontal topand bottom flanges and a vertical web. The pedestals are also preferablyH- shaped in cross section although other configurations may be used.

While the arrangement of H beams may vary considerably depending uponthe requirements of the particular machine installation, in thisinstance there is provided in FIG. 1 a pair oflateral H beams HI andH2'disposed in laterally spaced parallel relation and associatedgenerally with thegrinding machine 12. Such H beams H1 and H2 aresupported in horizontal position above the floor F by the pedestalsP1P4. To one side of the H beams H1 and H2 and parallel thereto are twoadditional H beams H3 and H4 which are disposed in laterally spacedparallel relation to one another and associated generally with thecarriage C and related structure. Such H beams H3 and H4 are supportedin horizontal position above the floor by the pedestals P5- P8. At oneend of the parallel H beams Hl-H4 are a pair of transversely extending Hbeams H5 and H6 which are associated generally with the mechanism forreciprocating the carriage C. Such H beams H5 and H6 are supported inhorizontal, laterally spaced parallel relation above the floor by thepedestals P9-PI2.

The H beams Hl-H6 are thus supported with their top flanges in asubstantially common horizontal plane. They may merely rest upon thepedestals or if desired they may be bolted or otherwise rigidly securedthereto, although preferably not permanently secured thereto duringpreliminary setup in the manufacturers plant because of the necessity ofdisassembling the equipment for shipment.

Referring further to FIGS. 1 and 2, the grinding machine 12 comprises abase 20 which is rigidly secured to the H beams H1 and H2 by the anchorbolts 22. Such anchor bolts are elongated vertical members which aredisposed alongside the webs of the H beams and are welded or otherwisepermanently secured to the top and bottom flanges of the H beams,projecting upward through openings in the top flanges of the H beams andthrough the base 20. Nuts are threaded on the upper ends of the bolts torigidly secure the base upon the top flanges of the H beams.

The grinding machine has a saddle 24 which is reciprocable in ways 26 onthe base transversely of the H beams H1 and-H2. Such transversereciprocation is effected by a hydraulic piston-cylinder assembly 28which is mounted upon the base 20 and the rod of whose piston isconnected to the saddle where indicated at 30. Any suitable meansincluding hydraulic lines 29 and 31 may be employed to operate assembly28.

The grinding machine has an elongated generally horizontal boom 32carried by a mount 34 which is pivoted to the saddle 24 at 36. Thegrinding wheel G is ro tatably mounted on the outer end of the boom andis driven by an electric motor 38 carried by the mount 34 by means ofabelt 40 trained over pulleys 42'and 44 on the grinding wheel and on themotor. The boom 32 may be raised and lowered by a hydraulicpiston-cylinder assembly 46 having a cylinder 48 pivoted to the saddle24 at 50 and having a piston 52 reciprocable therein whose rod ispivoted to the mount 34 where indicated at 54.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a base 56 mounted on the H beamsH1 and H2 and supporting a valve 58 and motor-pump assembly MP1 for usein the operation of the piston-cylinder assembly 46 to raise and lowerthe grinding wheel boom 32. Such base is rigidly secured to the topflanges of H beams H1 and H2 by the anchor bolts 22 like thosepreviously described, such bolts being preferably welded in verticalposition to the top and bottom flanges of the H beams and having nutsthreaded on the upper ends as clearly shown in the drawings.

The valve 58 is operated by solenoids 55 and 57. It has a neutralposition a in which hydraulic fluid is locked in both ends ofthe'piston-cylinder assembly 46, a second position b for deliveringhydraulic fluid to one end of the piston-cylinder assembly through oneof the hydraulic lines 59,61 and exhausting the other to raise the boom,and a third position for reversing the hydraulicfluid lines to lower theboom. Valve 58 assumes its neutral position a when neither solenoid isenergized, its position b when solenoid 55 is energized and its position0 when solenoid 57 is energized.

Referring to FIG. 1, the base 60 spans the H beams H1 and H2 and isrigidly secured thereto by the anchor bolts 22 of the same constructionas those previously described. The base 60 is provided to accommodate anoperators station which is only diagrammatically shown and includes aninstrument panel 62 more fully described hereinafter. The operator athis station near the grinding machine is in a position to see thegrinding operation and control the various functions.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, elongated rails 70 of I-beamconstruction are mounted upright upon the top flanges ofH beams H3 andH4. The rails 70 are rigidly secured to the top flanges of the H beamsby rail clips 72 which clamp over the tops of the bottom flanges of therails and are secured in clamped position by the nut and bolt assemblies74. The carriage C has wheels 76 which support the carriage on rails 70for reciprocation. The carriage is reciprocated by a reversiblehydraulic motor 78 having an output drum 80 on which is wound a flexiblelinear member 82 one end of which is attached to one end of the carriageat 84. The other end of the flexible linear member 82 wraps around theidler drum 86 and is connected to the opposite end of the carriage at88. The idler drum 86 is mounted for rotation on a base plate 90 at oneend of rails 70 which is secured upon the top flanges of the H beams H3and 1-14 by the anchor bolts 22. The hydraulic motor 78 is mounted onthe base plate 92 secured by anchor bolts 22 upon the top flanges of Hbeams H5 and H6 at the opposite end of the rails 70.

A base plate 94 is mounted upon the top flanges of H beams H5, H6 byanchor bolts 22 and supports the motor pump assembly MP2 and valve 96for operating the hydraulic motor 78. The valve 96 is operated bysolenoids and 97. It has a neutral position a in which hydraulic fluidis locked to prevent operation of the motor 78 in either direction, asecond position b for delivering hydraulic fluid to the motor 78 throughone line 98 while exhausting the other line 99 to rotate the drum 80 inone direction and a third position 0 for reversing the hydraulic fluidlines to rotate the drum 80 in the opposite direction. Valve 96 assumesits neutral position when neither solenoid is energized, its position bwhen solenoid 95 is energized and its position 0 when solenoid 97 isenergized.

Trenches are provided between certain of the H beams. Thus there is atrench'Tl between the H beams H1 and H2. The sides of the trench aredefined by the H beams H1 and H2. The ends of the trench T1 are definedby the transverse H beams H7 and H8 which extend between and are securedto the H beams H1 and H2 in a manner more fully described hereinafter. Hbeams H7 and H8 are of the same configuration as H beams ,H1-H6 althoughshorter in length. The bottom of the trench T1 is defined by a'plate 100which extends between the bottom flanges of the H beams H1 and H2 and isrigidly secured thereto as by welding. Plate 100 extends from onetransverse H beam H7 to the other H8 preferably also being welded orotherwise permanently secured to the bottom flanges of the transverse Hbeams. The trench T1, like the other trench to be described hereinafter,is open at the top butis normally preferably closed, at least betweenthe base plate 20 and the base plate 56, by a removable cover plate 102supported on elongated supporting strips 104 which are permanentlysecured as by welding to the undersurfaces of the top flanges of the Hbeams H1 and H2 and extend toward each other as illustrated in FIG.

2. Plate 102 is substantially flush with the top surfaces.

of the top flanges of the H beams to provide a continu ous floor. Thusthe trench T1 is accessible by removing the cover plate 102. As seenclearly in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the hydraulic pipes 59 and 61 are disposedin the trench T1, extending up through base plate 20 to the cylinderassembly 46 and up through the base plate 56 to the valve 58. Hydraulicpipes 29 and 31 from cylinder 28 also are disposed in trench Tl. Thusthe hydraulic piping is readily accessible.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, a trench T2 is shown between the H beams HSand H6. The trench T2 is bounded on the sides by the H beams H5 andH6and on the ends by the transverse H beams H9 and H10 which are securedto the H beams H5 and H6 in a manner more clearly described hereinafter.H beams H9 and H10 are the same in configuration as those previouslydescribed although shorter in length. The trench T2 is closed at thebottom by a plate 110 extending between and rigidly secured as bywelding to the bottom flanges of the H beams H5 and H6. The platellextends from one transverse H beam H9 to the other H10 and is preferablyalso rigidly secured-as by welding to the bottom flanges of suchtransverse beams. The trench T2 is open at the top, although normallyclosed by a cover plate 112 extending between the base plates 92 and 94and supported along its side edges by el0ngated supporting strips 114secured as by welding to the bottom surfaces of the top flanges H and H6and projecting toward one another. Cover plate 112 is substantiallyflush with the top surfaces of the top flanges of the H beams. Y

The trench T2 is provided to receive the hydraulic pipes 98 and 99. Thepipes at one end extend upwardly through base plate 92- to the motor 78and at the opposite end extend upwardly through base plate 94 to thevalve 96. Thus such hydraulic piping is readily accessible by merelyremoving the cover plate 112..

The instrument panel 62 has various switches as seen in FIG. 1. SwitchS1 is for energizing solenoid 95, switch S2 is for energizing solenoid97, switch S3 is for energizing solenoid 55, switch S4 is for energizingsolenoid 57, switch S5 is for energizing motor-pump assembly MP1, switchS6 is for energizing motor-pump assembly MP2 and switch S7 is forenergizing motor 38.

When installed in the customer's plant, the subfloor framework thusdescribed is embedded in concrete 113 up to the top flanges of the Hbeams Hl-Hl0 so that the top surfaces of such flanges are flush with thetop surface of the concrete to provide a continuous horizontal floor.The top'surfaces of the top flanges of all of the H beams, including thetransverse H beamsH7-Hl0 occupy a common horizontal plane. The concretewill not however flow into the trenches T1 and T2 because such trenchesare closed at the bottom by the plates 100 and 110. Hence the hydraulicpiping in the trenches is not embedded in concrete. However, theelectrical conduit for the motor pump assemblies MP1 and MP2, the valves58 and 96 and the grinding wheel motor 38 is embedded in the concrete.The wiring for the assembly MP1 is indicated at 120, for assembly MP2 at122, for grinding wheel drive motor 38 at 124, for the solenoids 55 and57 of valve 58 at 126 and 128 respectively, and for the solenoids 95 and97 of valve 96 at 130 and 132 respectively. All of this wiring extendsdown from the associated assemblies beneath the level of the H beams H1to H and then horizontally at such level to a position beneath the baseplate 60 for the operators station where such wiring then extends upwardthrough the base plate 60 to the control panel 62.

The connection between the H beam H1 and the transverse beam H7 is shownin FIG. 6. It will be understood that the connections of all of thetransverse beams H7, H8, H9 and H10 to the associated H beams H1, H2, H5and H6 may be of the same description. As seen in FIG. 6, the H beam H7is connected to the H beam H1 by angle members 140 and 142. One flangeof each angle member is rigidly secured to the web of H beam H7 onopposite sides thereof by any suitable means such as welding. The otherflanges of the two angle members are rigidly secured as by the nut andbolt assemblies 144 to the web of the H beam H1. The

connection shown in FIG. 6 is illustrative of one specific connection,although others'may be provided.

When the manufacturer of the subfloor system and machinery abovedescribed wishes to test the equipment-before shipping to a customer,the entire subfloor system minus the concrete, and with the machinerymounted thereon, may be set up in the manufacturers plant. Anchor boltsat that time may be permanently installed as by welding to the H beamswhere necessary to mount the various parts of the machinery to the Hbeams in the proper places. The hydraulic piping and the electricalwiring may be hooked up and the machinery fully tested. Aftercorrections and adjustmentshave been made, the machinery and theframework of the subfloor system may be disassembled and shipped. Whensubsequently installed in the customer 3 plant the subfloor framework issimply set up again and the machinery including all of its parts securedupon the framework to the anchor bolts previously installed and placedwhere needed in the manufacturers plant. The trench bottom plates andare welded in place as are the cover plate supporting strips 104 and 114at the customers, plant. The electrical conduit and hydraulic piping areinstalled and then the concrete is poured up to the level of the topsurfaces of the H beams to complete the floor and embed the electricalconduit. However, as noted, the hydraulic piping is not embedded inconcrete, being disposed in the trenches provided for that purpose andfully accessible by merely removing one of the covers 102 or 112.

When thus installed in the customers plant, the top surfaces of the Hbeams are exposed, although substantially in the plane of the concrete,so that the various pieces of equipment tied down by the anchor bolts 22may if desired be removed by merely removing the nuts threaded on theanchor bolts.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A subfloor system for machinery having hydraulically and electricallyoperated components, comprising a plurality of beams, pedestals mountedon a subflooring and supporting said beams in substantially horizontalposition spaced above the subflooring, a panel extending betweenselected ones of said beams and cooperating therewith to define anupwardly open trench, a cast material such as concrete encasing saidpedestals and beams up to substantially the top surfaces of said beamsbut not filling said trench, the top surfaces of said cast material andbeams providing a floor, means for mounting the machinery on the topsurfaces of said beams, electrical wiring for the machinery embedded insaid cast material, and hydraulic piping for the machinery disposed insaid trench.

2. The subfloor system defined in claim 1, wherein said trench is closedby a removable cover extending between the top surfaces of said selectedbeams.

3. The subfloor system defined in claim 1, wherein said electricalwiring is disposed between or beneath said beams.

4. The subfloor system defined in claim 2, wherein said beams areH-shaped in cross section having substantially horizontal top and bottomflanges, said panel being carried by the bottom flanges of said selectedbeams and said cover being carried by the top flanges thereof.

5. The subfloor system defined in claim 4, wherein said top flanges ofsaid selected beams have supporting elements for said cover.

6. The subfloor system defined in claim 1, wherein said means formounting the components of the machinery comprises anchor bolts securedto said beams.

7. The subfloor system defined in claim 1, wherein said beams areH-shaped in cross section having substantially horizontal top and bottomflanges, said selected beams being arranged in laterally spaced parallelrelation, said panel being secured to the bottom flanges of saidselected beams, the top flanges of said selected beams having supportingelements secured thereto and projecting toward one another, and aremovable cover extending over said trench and resting upon saidsupporting elements.

8. The subfloor system defined in claim 7, wherein said electricalwiring is disposed between or beneath said beams.

9. The subfloor system defined in claim 8, wherein said means formounting the components of the machinery comprises anchor bolts rigidlysecured to and projecting upwardly from said beams.

10. The subfloor system defined in claim 9, including in combinationmachinery components including an operators control station, andelectrical controls at said control station for said electrical wiring.

1 1. A subfloor system for machinery having fluid operated andelectricallyv operated components, comprising a plurality of beamsmounted over a subfloor in spaced substantially horizontal relation, anupwardly open trench defined between selected ones of said beams, a castmaterial such as concrete encasing said beams up to substantially thetop surfaces of said beams but not filling said trench, the top surfacesof said cast material and beams providing a floor, means for mountingthe machinery on the top surfaces of said beams, electrical wiring forthe machinery embedded in said cast material,and fluid piping for themachinery disposed in said trench.

12. A subfloor system for machinery having electrically operatedcomponents, comprising a plurality of beams mounted over a subfloor inspaced substantially 7 terial.

1. A subfloor system for machinery having hydraulically and electricallyoperated components, comprising a plurality of beams, pedestals mountedon a subflooring and supporting said beams in substantially horizontalposition spaced above the subflooring, a panel extending betweenselected ones of said beams and cooperating therewith to define anupwardly open trench, a cast material such as concrete encasing saidpedestals and beams up to substantially the top surfaces of said beamsbut not filling said trench, the top surfaces of said cast material andbeams providing a floor, means for mounting the machinery on the topsurfaces of said beams, electrical wiring for the machinery embedded insaid cast material, and hydraulic piping for the machinery disposed insaid trench.
 2. The subfloor system defined in claim 1, wherein saidtrench is closed by a removable cover extending between the top surfacesof said selected beams.
 3. The subfloor system defined in claim 1,wherein said electrical wiring is disposed between or beneath saidbeams.
 4. The subfloor system defined in claim 2, wherein said beams areH-shaped in cross section having substantially horizontal top and bottomflanges, said panel being carried by the bottom flanges of said selectedbeams and said cover being carried by the top flanges thereof.
 5. Thesubfloor system defined in claim 4, wherein said top flanges of saidselected beams have supporting elements for said cover.
 6. The subfloorsystem defined in claim 1, wherein said means for mounting thecomponents of the machinery comprises anchor bolts secured to saidbeams.
 7. The subfloor system defined in claim 1, wherein said beams areH-shaped in cross section having substantially horizontal top and bottomflanges, said selected beams being arranged in laterally spaced parallelrelation, said panel being secured to the bottom flanges of saidselected beams, the top flanges of said selected beams having supportingelements secured thereto and projecting toward one another, and aremovable cover extending over said trench and resting upon saidsupporting elements.
 8. The subfloor system defined in claim 7, whereinsaid electrical wiring is disposed between or beneath said beams.
 9. Thesubfloor system defined in claim 8, wherein said means for mounting thecomponents of the machinery comprises anchor bolts rigidly secured toand projecting upwardly from said beams.
 10. The subfloor system definedin claim 9, including in combination machinery components including anoperator''s control station, and electrical controls at said controlstation for said electrical wiring.
 11. A subfloor system for machineryhaving fluid operated and electrically operated components, comprising aplurality of beams mounted over a subfloor in spaced substantiallyhorizontal relation, an upwardly open trench defined between selectedones of said beams, a cast material such as concrete encasing said beamsup to substantially the top surfaces of said beams but not filling saidtrench, the top surfaces of said cast material and beams providing afloor, means for mounting the machinery on the top surfaces of saidbeams, electrical wiring for the machinery embedded in said castmaterial, and fluid piping for the machinery disposed in said trench.12. A subfloor system for machinery having electrically operatedcomponents, comprising a plurality of beams mounted over a subfloor inspaced substantially horizontal relation, a cast material such asconcrete encasing said beams up to substantially the top surfaces ofsaid beams, the top surfaces of said cast material and beams providing afloor, means for mounting the machinery on the top surfaces of saidbeams, and electrical wiring for the machinery embedded in said castmaterial.